When Parents Worry (2 page)

Is it okay if we switch between regular and organic milk?

My nine-year-old daughter has been having headaches for two weeks. She fell out of a shopping cart at Home Depot when she was three years old. Do you think that’s causing her headaches?

Summer camp questions
(Date of message: November 26th)

My son is a very poor sleeper and wakes up really easily. My husband is so scared that he’ll wake him up at night that he’s been peeing in a mayonnaise jar in our bedroom instead of going out into the hallway to go to the bathroom. Please, please help us.

Our ten-year-old son saw an inappropriate film about sex on the Internet. Is there an appropriate sex video we could show him?

My daughter likes her milk cold. Must we heat it up?

Sometimes when my baby cries, no sound comes out. Is that okay?

My son is always a bit hyper, but now that he is on antibiotics, he is significantly nuttier than usual. What should I do?

Should my eight-year-old wear boxers or briefs?

Rebecca complains that her hands hurt, but only when we ask her to brush her teeth. What do you think?

My one-year-old sleeps thirteen hours overnight and takes two naps of two hours every day. Shouldn’t she have more of a life?

I noticed that the tips of my son’s ears are yellow. What does that mean?

Can my two-month-old sit on Santa’s lap for a photo?

My eight-month-old ate her first banana yesterday. Today, she has a fever. Do you think the banana gave her a fever?

My seven-day-old has been eating nonstop, and I can’t seem to stop feeding him. Is it okay if I stop?

My daughter stuck the wand from her Nintendo up my son’s nose. I’m worried it punctured his brain. Please call.

I can’t seem to find the soft spot on my one-month-old’s head.

Johnny is tall. Is he too tall?

(The child is six months old.)

Are you still seeing new patients? I know you’re a pediatrician, but this one time, can you examine my puppy?

Arlene fell while playing in the snow yesterday. Her birthday party is in five days. How will the black-and-blue mark on her face look by then?

I want to get my son excused from gym class due to asthma so that he can take Driver’s Ed.

I’m bringing my three-month-old to a White Sox game today, and I was wondering if you think the noise might be too much for him.

My daughter Jane is five months old, and she keeps rolling over onto her belly in her sleep. I keep rolling her back as often as I can, but I’m worried about the middle of the night. What can I do?

Mark is on his fifth day of antibiotics for strep throat. Can he go bicycle riding?

My son took two of my husband’s Viagra pills. Will this hurt him?

My daughter Claire has a bad rash, but I don’t want to come in to the office. Can I describe it over the phone so you can tell me what it is?

I’m breastfeeding and I ate a pretzel made with honey. Is that okay? Because I know babies aren’t supposed to eat honey.

Mikey just started to walk, and he keeps falling down. I’m worried that he’s in danger. Please advise.

My son stuck an M&M up his nose. Do we need to get it out, or will it just melt away?

Mark swam in a swimming pool yesterday where they found a dead frog. We’re concerned. Please call.

Renee is napping with her arm under her body, and now it looks a bit blue. She’s still asleep. Do you think we should move her arm?

A sewer pipe burst in my basement, and I had to wade through the slime to clean it up. Can I still breastfeed?

When I’m feeding my baby, does a fart equal a burp?